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Miller KM, Barnett TC, Cadarette D, Bloom DE, Carapetis JR, Cannon JW. Antibiotic consumption for sore throat and the potential effect of a vaccine against group A Streptococcus: a systematic review and modelling study. EBioMedicine 2023; 98:104864. [PMID: 37950997 PMCID: PMC10663680 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antibiotic consumption can lead to antimicrobial resistance and microbiome imbalance. We sought to estimate global antibiotic consumption for sore throat, and the potential reduction in consumption due to effective vaccination against group A Streptococcus (Strep A). METHODS We reviewed and analysed articles published between January 2000 and February 2022, identified though Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science search platform, with reference to antibiotic prescribing or consumption, sore throat, pharyngitis, or tonsillitis. We then used those analyses, combined with assumptions for the effectiveness, duration of protection, and coverage of a vaccine, to calculate the estimated reduction in antibiotic prescribing due to the introduction of Strep A vaccines. FINDINGS We identified 101 studies covering 38 countries. The mean prescribing rate for sore throat was approximately 5 courses per 100 population per year, accounting for approximately 5% of all antibiotic consumption. Based on 2020 population estimates for countries with empiric prescribing rates, antibiotic consumption for sore throat was estimated to exceed 37 million courses annually, of which half could be attributable to treatment for Strep A. A vaccine that reduces rates of Strep A infection by 80%, with 80% coverage and 10 year's duration of protection, could avert 2.8 million courses of antibiotics prescribed for sore throat treatment among 5-14 year-olds in countries with observed prescribing rates, increasing to an estimated 7.5 million averted if an effective vaccination program also reduced precautionary prescribing. INTERPRETATION A vaccine that prevents Strep A throat infections in children may reduce antibiotic prescribing for sore throat by 32-87% depending on changes to prescribing and consumption behaviours. FUNDING The Wellcome Trust, grant agreement number 215490/Z/19/Z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate M Miller
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Timothy C Barnett
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Daniel Cadarette
- Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - David E Bloom
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jonathan R Carapetis
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jeffrey W Cannon
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Child Health Research, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.
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Vara-Ortiz MÁ, Marcos-Alonso S, Fabrellas-Padrés N. Experience of primary care nurses applying nurse-led management of patients with acute minor illnesses. Int J Nurs Pract 2023:e13216. [PMID: 37964496 DOI: 10.1111/ijn.13216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study is to determine the experience of primary health care nurses regarding the application of nurse-led management in patients with acute minor illnesses. BACKGROUND Nursing leadership of care for acute minor illnesses is a new challenge faced by nurses in Spain. DESIGN Qualitative, hermeneutical, interpretive phenomenological approach is used. The Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines were applied. METHODS Twenty primary care nurses participated; three focus group discussions and nine semi-structured interviews were conducted between November 2019 and October 2020. All the focus group discussions and interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis. RESULTS Seven main themes emerged from the focus group discussions and interviews: concept, perception of the other actors, practice, history and social context, competencies, training, and legality. CONCLUSION The study shows the diversity and complexity of nurses' experience when applying nurse-led management in acute minor illnesses. This work has helped to show the gaps perceived by nurses, including the lack of training in the treatment of conditions historically attended by physicians, the lack of definition of the legal framework and the limitations on nurse prescribing. It also highlighted the power of the nursing profession in terms of autonomy, competencies and role expansion.
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Mantzourani E, Wasag D, Cannings-John R, Ahmed H, Evans A. Characteristics of the sore throat test and treat service in community pharmacies (STREP) in Wales: cross-sectional analysis of 11 304 consultations using anonymized electronic pharmacy records. J Antimicrob Chemother 2022; 78:84-92. [PMID: 36272134 PMCID: PMC9780525 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkac358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An NHS-funded sore throat test and treat (STTT) service was introduced in selected community pharmacies in Wales. Service users were screened using FeverPAIN/Centor scores, offered rapid antigen detection testing (RADT) to detect group A Streptococcus if appropriate, and supplied with antibiotics (by the pharmacist) if indicated. Following an initial evaluation, the service was rolled out nationally. OBJECTIVES This study forms part of the long-term STTT evaluation. The aim was to describe characteristics of the service and service users, the delivery, service outcomes, patient safety and antibiotic prescribing. METHODS Cross-sectional descriptive study using anonymized individual-level data from electronic pharmacy records of all eligible STTT service users between November 2018 and February 2020. RESULTS We identified 11 304 pharmacy STTT consultations in service users aged 6 years and over, with a median age of 25 years (IQR: 12 to 44). RADT was undertaken in 8666 (76.7%) consultations with 2503 (28.9% of RADT) positive tests. In total, 2406 (21.3%) service users were supplied with antibiotics. Pharmacists managed 91% of consultations in the pharmacy and referred only 937 (9.3%) service users to a GP and 27 (0.2%) to the Emergency Department. Higher rates of antibiotic supply were observed in out-of-hours consultations when compared with in-hours (24.9% versus 20.9%). CONCLUSIONS This is the largest description of a pharmacy-led STTT service to date and suggests it can be delivered at scale to align with a pre-specified pathway that promotes appropriate use of RADT and antibiotics. The service could substantially reduce workload from a common illness in other heavily pressurized areas of primary and emergency care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diana Wasag
- Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | | | - Haroon Ahmed
- Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Andrew Evans
- Primary Care Services, Welsh Government, Cardiff, Wales, UK
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Gunnarsson R, Orda U, Elliott B, Heal C, Del Mar C. What is the optimal strategy for managing primary care patients with an uncomplicated acute sore throat? Comparing the consequences of nine different strategies using a compilation of previous studies. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e059069. [PMID: 35487741 PMCID: PMC9058799 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Identifying optimal strategies for managing patients of any age with varying risk of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) attending for an apparently uncomplicated acute sore throat, also clarifying the role of point-of-care testing (POCT) for presence of group A beta-haemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS) in these settings. DESIGN We compared outcomes of adhering to nine different strategies for managing these patients in primary healthcare. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS The nine strategies, similar to guidelines from several countries, were tested against two validation data sets being constructs from seven prior studies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The proportion of patients requiring a POCT, prescribed antibiotics, prescribed antibiotics having GABHS and finally having GABHS not prescribed antibiotics, if different strategies had been adhered to. RESULTS In a scenario with high risk of ARF, adhering to existing guidelines would risk many patients ill from GABHS left without antibiotics. Hence, using a POCT on all of these patients minimised their risk. For low-risk patients, it is reasonable to only consider antibiotics if the patient has more than low pain levels despite adequate analgesia, 3-4 Centor scores (or 2-3 FeverPAIN scores or 3-4 McIsaac scores) and a POCT confirming the presence of GABHS. This would require testing only 10%-15% of patients and prescribing antibiotics to only 3.5%-6.6%. CONCLUSIONS Patients with high or low risk for ARF needs to be managed very differently. POCT can play an important role in safely targeting the use of antibiotics for patients with an apparently uncomplicated acute sore throat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronny Gunnarsson
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine - General Practice/Family Medicine, Göteborgs universitet Institutionen för medicin, Goteborg, Sweden
- Research, Development, Education and Innovation, Primary Health Care, Västra Götalandsregionen, Göteborg, Sweden
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
- The primary health care clinic for homeless people, Närhälsan, Region Västra Götaland, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Ulrich Orda
- Mount Isa Hospital, North West Hospital and Health Service, Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Clare Heal
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Mackay, Queensland, Australia
| | - Chris Del Mar
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Andersen CA, Frandsen AK, Valentiner-Branth C, Lykkegaard J, Løkkegaard T, Thomsen JL, Jensen MB, Hansen MP. Introducing point-of-care ultrasound in Danish general practice-elucidating the use through a medical audit. Fam Pract 2021; 38:80-87. [PMID: 32839822 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmaa080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Point-of-care ultrasonography (PoCUS) is increasingly used across the medical field. PoCUS is also being implemented in general practice despite a lack of clinical guidelines and training programs for general practitioners (GPs). OBJECTIVES This study aimed to elucidate the employment of PoCUS by Danish GPs following a short training program. METHODS Thirty GPs were enrolled in a short ultrasound training program and taught how to perform 22 selected scanning modalities. In the following 3 months, the GPs registered all performed PoCUS examinations according to the Audit Project Odense method. After 5 months, the GPs were invited to participate in an evaluation seminar, where questionnaires were distributed. RESULTS During the registration period, 1598 patients were examined with PoCUS. A total of 1948 scanning modalities were registered, including 207 examinations outside the taught curriculum. The majority of the ultrasound examinations were performed within 10 minutes (89%), most were considered to be conclusive (87%) and/or to increase diagnostic certainty (67%), whereas one in four examinations entailed a change in patient management. Most GPs attending the evaluation seminar continued to use PoCUS and found the scanning modalities included in the course curriculum relevant in their daily work. CONCLUSION The GPs found several indications for performing PoCUS following the attendance of a 2-day basic training program. The majority of examinations were registered to be conclusive and/or increase diagnostic certainty. However, few GPs used PoCUS on a daily basis and not all examinations were registered to have an impact on patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jesper Lykkegaard
- Audit Project Odense, Research Unit of General Practice, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - Malene Plejdrup Hansen
- Center for General Practice at Aalborg University, Aalborg.,Audit Project Odense, Research Unit of General Practice, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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van der Velden AW, Sessa A, Altiner A, Pignatari ACC, Shephard A. Patients with Sore Throat: A Survey of Self-Management and Healthcare-Seeking Behavior in 13 Countries Worldwide. Pragmat Obs Res 2020; 11:91-102. [PMID: 32982537 PMCID: PMC7490072 DOI: 10.2147/por.s255872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acute sore throat is one of the most common problems for which patients consult their general practitioner and is a key area for inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. The objective of this study was to investigate patients’ attitudes related to healthcare-seeking behavior and self-management of sore throat. Methods We conducted an observational, questionnaire-based study across 13 countries (Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, the Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, the UK and the USA) on respondents who reported having had a sore throat in the previous 12 months. Data were collected on their experiences, contact with healthcare professionals, treatment practices and opinions about antibiotics. Results A total of 5196 respondents (approximately 400 per country) completed the survey. Over 80% of respondents sought advice for a sore throat, with 30% consulting a general practitioner. The desire to limit the worsening of symptoms was the main reason for seeking treatment. Other reasons concerned resolving persistent symptoms and reducing the impact on daily life/sleep. Self-management for sore throat was mainly medicated sore throat remedies. “Wanting an antibiotic” was rated much lower (55%) than most other reasons for visiting a doctor, but this differed greatly between countries. The percentage of respondents using antibiotics varied widely, for example, 10% in the UK and 45% in Saudi Arabia. There was considerable variation in the proportion of respondents who thought that antibiotics would be effective against sore throat (from 24% in France to 94% in Saudi Arabia). Conclusions Our findings suggest that knowledge of effective treatments for sore throat varied widely. The results of this study should enable healthcare professionals to better anticipate patients’ needs. This will support healthcare professionals in their role as antibiotic stewards, helping to reduce the misuse of antibiotics, and further guiding patients towards symptomatic self-management of sore throat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alike W van der Velden
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Aurelio Sessa
- Italian College of General Practitioners and Primary Care, Florence, Italy
| | - Attila Altiner
- Institute of General Practice, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
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Hansen LS, Lykkegaard J, Thomsen JL, Hansen MP. Acute lower respiratory tract infections: Symptoms, findings and management in Danish general practice. Eur J Gen Pract 2019; 26:14-20. [PMID: 31650886 PMCID: PMC7034054 DOI: 10.1080/13814788.2019.1674279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Acute lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are among the most common infections managed in general practice. Objectives: To describe differences in reported symptoms, findings and management of patients diagnosed with acute LRTIs, and to explore possible associations between these findings and being diagnosed with pneumonia. Methods: During one winter season (2017 or 2018), a prospective registration of patients diagnosed with either acute bronchitis (ICPC-2: R78) or pneumonia (ICPC-2: R81) was conducted in Danish general practice for 20 days. A 42 item registration chart was filled in for each patient. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square test and multiple logistic regressions were used for data analysis. Results: In total, 70 general practices participated with 1384 patients registered. Patients diagnosed with pneumonia were more often reported as having a fever, dyspnoea, increased purulent sputum, abnormal pulmonary auscultation/chest retractions, and were more often assessed as unwell by the healthcare professional, than those diagnosed with acute bronchitis. Very few patients had a chest X-ray. Contrary, most patients had a C-reactive protein (CRP) test performed (pneumonia: 83%; acute bronchitis: 71%). Respectively, 93% and 20% of patients were treated with antibiotics. Having a fever, an abnormal pulmonary auscultation/chest retractions or being assessed as unwell increased the likelihood of the diagnosis pneumonia at least fivefold. Even a slightly elevated CRP (≥11 mg/L) was positively associated with being diagnosed with pneumonia. Conclusion: Danish healthcare professionals are highly influenced by symptoms, signs and CRP tests when diagnosing patients with acute LRTIs in general practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jesper Lykkegaard
- Audit Project Odense, Research Unit of General Practice, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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